After opening day on April 28 the museum will prepare for a major event on Armed Forces Day weekend that will
help fulfill its mission of honoring America's veterans.

LST 393 – a "landing ship tank" moored at the Mart Dock in downtown Muskegon – has a busy summer scheduled with tours,
parties, receptions, entertainment, weddings and the popular "Movies on Deck" on many Fridays.

"There'll
be a lot happening this summer at LST 393," said John Stephenson,
president of the LST-393 Veterans Museum board.
"But our No. 1 priority will still be recognizing the service America's
veterans and teaching generations of visitors about their sacrifices."

LST 393 VOLUNTEERS

• Tour guide

• Gift shop cashier

• Financial accounting and planning services

• Maintenance and repair

• Artifacts control

• Event assistant

• Internet supervisor

If you wish to help, please call 231-730-1477 or send an email to info@lst393.org.

LST
393 is a veteran of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. It is one of only
two LSTs left from the 1,051 built during World
War II. But for many years, it sat locked and unused after its career
as a cross-lake freighter ended.

In 2006, the USS LST 393 Preservation
Association, in cooperation with her Mart Dock owners, began restoration
work and opened the historic ship for tours.

Visitors
will see many new exhibits and veteran tributes when the museum opens
for its seventh season. Last year, more
than 30,000 visitors toured the ship; thousands more attended the
numerous ship events, making LST 393 one of the top attractions in
Muskegon.

One
of the most moving tributes of the year will be the Armed Forces
Memorial Service May 18 and 19. On Friday, LST 393 will
host a "Veterans Job Fair," giving America's heroes a chance to talk
with dozens of companies who want to make use of their considerable
skills.

Saturday's activities will be dedicated to honoring all armed
forces personnel. Starting at 8 a.m. with a pancake
breakfast, visitors will be treated to free tours until a patriotic
program starts at 11 a.m.

Members of the Michigan LST Association and their families gather on the deck of the USS LST 393 before a flyby of World World II-era planes to honor the veterans before their last annual reunion of the association on September 21, 2011.
Chronicle photo by Kendra Stanley-Mills
Date shot: 9/21/11

The
Movies on Deck series starts in June and shows classic films most
Friday nights throughout the summer. This year's
films include "Goonies," "Sands of Iwo Jima" and "Pirates of the
Caribbean – Dead Man's Chest." The movies start after sunset on the
ship's top deck; there is no admission charge but donations are
accepted.

Upgraded
displays inside the ship tell the stories of the soldiers, sailors,
Marines and Coast Guardsmen who served aboard
LSTs. The ship's bridge has been completely restored, providing a
highlight to any visitor's top deck tour. Also above decks are the
restored galley, officers' quarters, wardroom, sick bay and mess deck. A
trip down to the engine room is a must for those who
fancy awesome machinery.

Adults can take a self-guided tour of the ship for a $6 donation; students are $4. Volunteers are always on hand to answer
questions about the ship and the museum displays. A large gift shop offers a variety of ship mementos.

LST
393 was built in 1942 to help America defeat the Axis powers in World
War II. She has three battle stars and made
30 round trips to Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy,
delivering weapons of war. Sold as surplus in 1948 to Sand Products
Inc., owners of West Michigan Dock and Market in Muskegon, she was
converted to a cross-lake ferry called Highway 16 and was
a fixture on Lake Michigan for three decades. She was retired from
service in 1979.

LST
393 is located at the Mart Dock adjacent to Heritage Landing county
park on the downtown Muskegon waterfront. Hours
are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week. Special guided tours are
available and group events can be scheduled by calling 231-288-4503.
More information is available at
www.lst393.org.